SC Magdeburg Advances to the Main Round with a 30-27 Win Over Kielce

SC Magdeburg has advanced to the main round of the Champions League. In front of 6,401 spectators at the Getec Arena, they defeated Polish champions Kielce 30–27 (13–14). Magdeburg’s top scorer was Gisli Kristjansson with six goals. With 8:0 points, the German champions lead Group F and can no longer be displaced from one of the top two spots.

Magdeburg did not get off to a good start and found themselves trailing early (1:4 at the 7-minute mark) because the Elbe City team was repeatedly stopped by former Füchse goalkeeper Dejan Milosavljev. The SCM managed to close the gap at one point, but after just under 13 minutes of play, coach Bennet Wiegert called a timeout. “We’re not even in the game; I need more energy from everyone—this isn’t a sure thing,” the successful coach scolded.

Wiegert scolds: “This isn’t a sure thing”

Felix Claar had to leave the court bleeding after an accidental elbow to the head, but even without their playmaker, the hosts cut the deficit to one goal (10–11/20th minute). Kielce pulled ahead by three goals again while on the power play, but the SCM went into halftime trailing by just one goal.

After the break, the SCM turned the game around with back-to-back goals to take their first lead of the match. Claar also returned to the court. Magdeburg gradually pulled away, while Kielce increasingly paid the price for their high-intensity effort. Nevertheless, the match remained close until the final minutes because the Polish team never gave up.